Elementary Education - MS

Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

School of Teacher Education and Leadership

Degree Programs—On Campus

Three avenues exist for on-campus students wishing to pursue a master’s degree in the School of TEAL at Utah State University. They are as follows:

Master of Science—Plan A

Students planning to pursue a future doctoral degree or wishing to follow a traditional master’s degree should complete a Master of Science (Plan A) degree. This is a 36-credit program, including 6 credits for the thesis. EDUC 6570 is required as a research course (rather than EDUC 6550). A copy of the Program of Study form listing other required core and professional option courses is available from the School of TEAL office. A committee chair and two committee members will work with students pursuing the Plan A master’s degree. Plan A students should submit an Appointment for Examination form to their major professor, committee, and the Graduate School at least five working days before the final examination is to be held.

Master of Education—Plan B

Students wishing to include a creative project as part of their master’s degree program should enroll in the Master of Education (Plan B) program. Three credits will be given for TEAL 6960, Master’s Creative Project. All MEd students will complete EDUC 6550 (Research for Classroom Teachers, 3 credits) and other courses listed on the current Program of Study form. A committee chair and two committee members will work with students completing the creative project; however, the chairperson will have major responsibility in approving the proposal and primarily work as the program advisor, with the committee members being involved more directly in the presentation of the creative project.

Master of Education—Plan C

In order to provide another option for prospective elementary education master’s degree students, the School of TEAL conducts a Plan C option within its Master of Education Degree. The basic elements of a Plan C option include completion of 40 credits of prior approved graduate courses, completion of an exit paper, and an oral review.

The exit paper should be a pre-planned scholarly activity. It could be a paper discussing coursework applicability to the student’s teaching assignment, or a written plan for changing curriculum and/or instruction drawing on coursework and the student’s role, etc. The intent is that the exit paper be an integral part of the planned course of study.

A notice of intent to complete the degree must be filed with the School of Graduate Studies at the beginning of the last semester of coursework. A letter of completion should be filed by the School of TEAL chairperson upon successful completion of all requirements.

Degree Programs—Off Campus

Two avenues exist for students wishing to pursue a master’s degree in the School of TEAL at Utah State University primarily through offerings at USU Distance Education centers. They are as follows.

Master of Education—Plan B

Off-campus students wishing to include a creative project as part of their master’s degree program should enroll in the Master of Education Program. Three credits will be given for TEAL 6960 (Master’s Creative Project). All MEd students will complete the required core and other courses listed on the current Program of Study form. A committee chair and two committee members will work with students completing the creative project; however, the chairperson will have major responsibility in approving the proposal and primarily work as the program advisor, with the committee members being involved more directly in the presentation of the creative project (oral exam).

Master of Education—Plan C

In order to provide another option for prospective off-campus elementary education master’s degree students, the Elementary Education Program conducts a Plan C option within its Master of Education Degree. The basic elements of a Plan C option include completion of 40 credits or prior approved graduate courses, completion of an exit paper, and an oral review.

The exit paper should be a pre-planned scholarly activity. It could be a paper discussing coursework applicability to the student’s teaching assignment, or a written plan for changing curriculum and/or instruction drawing on coursework and the student’s role, etc. The intent is that the exit paper be an integral part of the planned course of study.

A notice of intent to complete the program should be filed by the student with the School of TEAL and the School of Graduate Studies at the beginning of the semester the candidate is to finish the degree. A letter of completion should be filed by the committee chairperson upon successful completion of all requirements.